2013 Buick Enclave - 2012 New York Auto Show

By KBB.com Editors on April 3, 2012 4:55 PM

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Further elevating its status among mid-size luxury crossovers, the 2013 Buick Enclave made its debut in the Big Apple sporting a fresher appearance and offering a host of new comfort/convenience/safety technologies.

The Enclave's evolutionary restyle is most evident in both fascias. Up front, the 2013 version gets a bit edgier thanks to a new black-chrome grille and redesigned hood plus reshaped HID xenon headlamps (now offered with available corner-following adaptive capabilities) and LED accent/daytime running lights. It's a similar story out back, where the Enclave gains new LED taillamps and exhaust outlets integrated into the lower diffuser. Other tweaks include a more monochromatic exterior set off by refined chrome accents and new-look 19-inch and 20-inch alloy wheels.

Offering three-row seating or seven or eight, the Enclave's roomy passenger cabin gets a parallel revamp that endows it with a richer, plusher character highlighted by more soft-touch surfaces and a host of new trim details that include ice-blue LED ambient lighting, elegant full stitch work and several new color combinations. The center stack has been redesigned to accommodate a large LCD high-resolution display with capacitive touch control that provides a more user-friendly way to oversees operation of the Buick IntelliLlink infotainment interface that's standard on all models as well as the Enclave's tri-zone climate control and optional navigation system. The new IntelliLink system brings Bluetooth hands-free connectively with audio streaming as well as enhanced voice recognition and the ability to control various on-line/smartphone apps, including Pandora and Stitcher SmartRadio.

The 2013 Buick Enclave also boasts a number of new safety features to complement its existing StabiliTrak, traction control, panic brake assist, and rear-vision camera system. Airbag count has risen from six to seven thanks to the fitment of GM's industry-first front center airbag designed to help protect the driver and front passenger in case of a severe far-side impact. In addition, the new Enclave will offer side blind zone alert and rear cross traffic alert warning systems for the first time as options.

While the Enclave's sole engine -- GM's direct-injected 3.6-liter V6 that makes 288 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of toque in this application - carries over unchanged for 2013, reprogramming of the standard six-speed Hydra-Matic automatic transmission improves shift feel and overall drivability on both front-drive and all-wheel drive models. To give the 2013 Enclave quieter, more car-like ride and handling, Buick's chassis engineers also retuned and revised both the front and rear shock absorbers.

The 2013 Buick will be offered in 1SD, 1SL and 1SN trim configurations when it goes on sale this fall. Final pricing has not yet been announced.